Apparatus and method for static magnetic field treatment of tissue, organs, cells, and molecules

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for static magnetic field treatment of plants, animals, and humans comprising the steps of configuring at least one composite static magnetic field by combining at least one of a bipolar static magnetic field and an axial static magnetic field, optimizing spatial distribution and amplitude of the composite static magnetic field at a target pathway structure by satisfying a mathematical model, and coupling the at least one optimized composite static magnetic field to the target pathway structure using a composite static magnetic device.

This application is a Divisional application of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 11/009,878 filed Dec. 11, 2004 hereby incorporatedby reference and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application60/529,213 filed Dec. 12, 2003 hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains generally to an apparatus and a method fortherapeutically and prophylactically treating plants, animals and humansusing static magnetic fields (“SMF”) that are selected by optimizingspatial distribution and amplitude of a magnetic field at target pathwaystructures such as molecules, cells, tissues and organs. Anotherembodiment according to the present invention spatially configures SMFto satisfy Larmor precession conditions, so that treatment can beprovided for relieving musculoskeletal pain, decreasing edema,increasing local blood circulation, to enhance healing, and to enhancewellbeing.

A preferred embodiment according to the present invention comprisesjuxtaposition of, for example, integrated, adjacent, contacting,permanent magnets of any shape having a bipolar portion that includes atleast three juxtaposed circular portions of alternating polarity,beginning with north or south orientation in a central portion, and anaxial portion having at least one polarity per face, whereby a firstlayer of the bipolar portion is connected to a first layer of the faceof the axial portion. During a treatment session an embodiment accordingto the present invention of permanent magnets juxtaposed with a bipolarportion and an axial portion, produces an optimized magnetic field thatcan be positioned in proximity to target pathway structures, such as amolecules, cells, tissues, and organs, and can be directly applied toouter skin surfaces, through clothing, ice packs, heat packs, as well asbeing used in conjunction with compression and support wraps.

A preferred embodiment according to the present invention comprises abipolar portion having juxtaposed opposite magnetic polarity portions,each magnetic polarity portion having about a 1 Gauss (“G”) to 5000 Gmagnetic field amplitude at a surface of the bipolar portion, connectedto an axial portion having about a 1 G to 5000 G magnetic fieldamplitude at the surface of the axial portion, whereby a resultingcomposite magnetic field is configured that can be applied to targetpathway structures such as a molecules, cells, tissues and organs, foran exposure time of about 1 minute to about several hours per day.However, other exposure times can be used.

A preferred embodiment according to the present invention comprises aplurality of circular and rectangular axial portions and a plurality ofcircular and rectangular bipolar portions, the axial and bipolarportions having a surface area of at least about 1 cm², and a thicknessof at least about 0.5 mm, whereby magnetic poles in the bipolar portionare produced in circular and annular zones. However, the magnetic polescan be configured in any zone shape, including random.

A preferred embodiment according to the present invention comprises atleast one flexible permanent magnet constructed by incorporating ferriteparticles into a biocompatible polymer whereby a synthetic materialhaving rubber-like properties is formed that can be incorporated intoanatomical wraps and supports for treatment of musculoskeletal aches,pains, and inflammation.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Static magnetic fields in a range of about 1 G to about 5000 G havesignificant therapeutic and prophylactic benefits, particularly fortreatment of pain and edema from musculoskeletal injuries andpathologies.

At a molecular level, when a target pathway structure is in a receptivemetabolic state such as that caused by injury, ambient range fields lessthan or equal to 2 G modulated calcium (“Ca+”) binding to calmodulin(“CaM”) which accelerated phosphorylation of a muscle contractileprotein in a cell-free enzyme assay mixture. This has also been shownfor CaM dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity bymodulating Ca+/CaM binding with a 2 G field. Magnetic fields rangingfrom about 23 G to about 3500 G have altered electrical properties ofsolutions as well as their physiological effects. At a cell level, amagnetic field of about 300 G doubled alkaline phosphatase activity inosteoblast-like cells. Fields between about 4300 G and about 4800 Gsignificantly increased turnover rate and synthesis of fibroblasts.Neurite outgrowth from embryonic chick ganglia was significantlyincreased using magnetic fields of about 225 G to 900 G. Rat tendonfibroblasts exposed to a magnetic field of about 2.5 G showed extensivedetachment of pre-attached cells, as well as a temporarily alteredmorphology. A minimum magnetic field gradient of about 15 G/mm was shownto cause approximately 80% action potential blockade in an isolatednerve preparation. A rabbit model demonstrated that 10 G fields couldsignificantly affect cutaneous microcirculation and could cause abiphasic response dependent upon a pharmacologically determined state ofa target pathway structure.

Therapeutic and prophylactic treatment with magnets has produced variedresults. Although a necklace having small 1300 G magnets had noinfluence on chronic neck and shoulder pain, pain was reduced inpost-polio patients by 76% for a single 45 minute treatment in whichbipolar magnets having alternating poles per face and a magnetic fieldof about 300 G to about 500 G, were applied to pain pressure triggerpoints, and not directly on a pain site. A magnetic foil having no fieldlevel reported was added to a molded insole designed for treatment ofplantar foot pain. The magnetic foil had no effect on plantar heel painsyndrome. Pads having arrays of ceramic magnets having magnetic fieldsof about 150 G to about 400 G and a single pole per face were placedover a liposuction site immediately post operative and left in place for14 days. Discoloration, edema and pain were reduced by 40%-70% over 7days post suction lipectomy. Arrays of magnets in mattress pads thatwere either single-pole per face or alternating poles per face confirmedsignificant pain reduction. The outcome measures of fibromyalgia such aspain and sleep disorders, were reduced by approximately 40% in patientswho slept on a mattress pad containing arrays of ceramic magnets havingmagnetic fields of about 800 G and a single pole per face, over a 4month period. Only the ceramic magnets provided sufficient magneticdosage to significantly reduce pain from fibromyalgia. Approximately 90%of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy received significantrelief of pain, numbness and tingling using alternating pole magneticinsoles having a magnetic field of 475 G. Only 30% of non-diabeticsubjects showed equivalent improvement using the same insoles. Chroniclower back pain was not affected by application of a pad having ageometric array of alternating pole 300G magnetic fields applied over alumbar region for 6 hrs/day, 3 times per week for one week, even thoughthe magnets used have been shown to deliver a sufficient magnetic fielddose to deep tissue sites in the lower back. Peripheral bloodcirculation in healthy individuals was not affected by 500 G SMF.Chronic pelvic pain and disability were significantly decreased usingabout 300 G to about 500 G bipolar magnets arranged in concentriccircles, over pain pressure trigger points. Shoe insoles having 450 Gmultipolar magnets significantly reduced neuropathic pain and increasedquality of life in patients with symptomatic diabetic peripheralneuropathy. The effective magnetic field from the shoe insole surfacewas reported to extend to 20 mm with 250 G at 1 mm, 90 G at 3 mm, 1.5 Gat 13 mm and equal to the earth's field at 20 mm.

Several models have been put forth analyzing effects of electromagneticfields (“EMF”) on charged ions and ligands due to a magnetic Lorentzforce. Early models treated electromagnetic field effects on ion bindingto proteins on a surface of a cell. An action of electric and magneticforces on different ionic messengers and binding sites via a Lorentzequation, describes motion of a charged particle in a magnetic fieldsubject to constraints due to a molecular and thermal noise environment.Magnetic fields of about 1 Gauss to about 10 Gauss have been shown toaffect ion/ligand binding in presence of thermal noise for sufficientlylong bound lifetimes, about 1 second or longer, such as occur inCa²⁺/CaM binding which is involved in a wide range of physiologicallysignificant biochemical cascades related to tissue growth and repair. Ina cellular environment, weak magnetic field effects via the Lorentzforce can only be expected for a bound phase of the ion/ligandtrajectory. Collision frequencies that occur, such as with other ionsand water molecules in bulk water or in an ion channel, in all otherphases of a trajectory require minimum effective field strengths in aTesla range to be detectable when thermal noise is present. That rangeis clearly well above fields at which therapeutic and prophylacticstatic magnetic field effects have been demonstrated, indicating that aprimary transduction target for therapeutic and prophylactic staticmagnetic field effects is a bound ion.

Theories exist that attempt to explain how magnetic field treatmentinteracts with a target pathway structure. The theories range fromLorentz force effects on bulk ion/charge movement, direct effects onblood flow, and direct effects on movements of charges at biologicalsurfaces. However, it can be shown that the magnetic field levels ofabout 1 G to about 5000 G that are generally used in therapeutic andprophylactic magnets are too small to produce these effects, primarilybecause of thermal noise.

An embodiment according to the present invention comprises a Larmorprecession mechanism that relates to an effect of SMF on dynamicmovement of a bound charge. This advantageously allows relatively lowamplitude SMF to be detected since bound charges are largely shieldedfrom thermal noise effects.

SMF in various configurations has been used for treatment ofmusculoskeletal pain. Therefore a need exists for configuring SMF foroptimal dosage for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes according toLarmor precession.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus and method of delivering a static magnetic field to human,animal and plant molecules, cells, tissues, and organs for therapeuticand prophylactic purposes. Particularly, an embodiment according to thepresent invention comprises a permanent magnet having both axial andbipolar properties, such that the magnet produces a resulting magneticfield that can penetrate into a treatment area while providingsignificant three dimensional (“3D”) magnetic field gradients. Thismagnetic field configuration advantageously allows a stimulus to beapplied to molecules, cells, tissues, and organs by coupling to a Larmorprecession of bound ions and ligands at regulatory molecules inphysiologically significant biochemical cascades. A preferred embodimentaccording to the present invention is a flexible ferrite permanentmagnet having a magnetic field of about 1 G to about 5000 G amplitudeincluding a first portion comprising alternating circular positive andnegative poles and an integrated second portion comprising an axialmagnetic field with a north pole or a south pole facing the firstportion. An object of the present invention is to satisfy Larmorprecession conditions by configuring a composite axial/bipolar magnet toproduce a magnetic field having a spatial amplitude distribution thusadvantageously allowing it to be both at right angles to randomlyoriented axes of vibration of bound charges, and large enough to bedetectable according to known kinetics of ion and ligand binding inphysiologically relevant biochemical cascades. Other embodimentsaccording to the present invention include bipolar magnets of any shapeand any pole/field pattern configuration integrated with an axial magnetof any shape. A preferred embodiment according to the present inventioncomprises juxtaposition of one layer of axial and one layer of bipolarflexible plastic magnets. However, other embodiments according to thepresent invention can comprise any combination of types of magnets suchas ferrite, ceramic, rare earth, and electromagnets. An embodimentaccording to the present invention can also be used in conjunction withanatomical supports for relief of musculoskeletal pain.

The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description ofthe Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention, and Claims appendedherewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described belowin more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for static magnetic field treatmentof plant, animal, and human target pathway structures such as tissues,organs, cells, and molecules according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A is a view of a magnetic field having a bipolar portionconfigured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a view of a magnetic field having an axial portion configuredaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is a view of a magnetic field having a bipolar portion and anaxial portion configured according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3A is a 3D graphical illustration of a spatial configuration of amagnetic field of an axial portion of a magnet according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a 3D graphical illustration of a spatial configuration of amagnetic field of a bipolar portion of a magnet according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of a positioning device such as a wrist supportaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bar chart illustrating that a composite magnet has asignificantly greater effect on Ca²⁺, as measured by myosinphosphorylation according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a bar chart illustrating that static magnetic field effectssaturate when precession frequency approaches an ion binding timeconstant of a target pathway structure according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention SMFmodulates processional motion at a characteristic Larmor frequency in apolarized ion/water complex that is present at an electrified interfaceof an ion/ligand binding site. This modulates thermal fluctuations inbound ion/water orientation angles, thereby affecting dynamics of adielectric constant at the binding site that facilitates passage of anion to and from an outer Helmholtz plane that is unbound, andfacilitates passage of an ion to and from an inner Helmholtz plane thatis bound, producing a resultant modulation of ion binding kinetics. Aminimum threshold for magnetic field effects on ion/water orientation inthe presence of thermal noise of about a 0.1 μT to about 1 μT rangewhere T=Tesla=10⁴ G, will occur, based upon lifetime of binding in theabout 0.001 to about 1.0 second time range at a molecular cleft. Thesemagnetic field effects occur for field strengths well below a thresholdfor which direct Lorentz force effects on ion trajectories occur whenthermal noise is present. For direct Lorentz force effects thisthreshold lies in a mT range for an extreme low viscosity target pathwaystructure with few collisions, and can be as high as 10⁷ T for a fullyhydrated ion experiencing significantly more thermal collisions. It canbe shown that both coherent and thermal components of an ion at abinding site exhibit Larmor precession when an applied magnetic field ispresent. In addition, even in the absence of initial conditionsresulting in a coherent component, as the amplitude of the thermalcomponent grows oscillator orientation precesses at a Larmor frequencyin a plane perpendicular to an applied magnetic field direction. Larmormechanics converts magnetic field amplitude into a precessionalfrequency determined by a gyromagnetic ratio of a target pathwaystructure. Each Larmor precession frequency determines a time to reachfavored orientations at a binding interface, or rate a which favoredorientations are reached, thus modulating a binding rate constant.

A Larmor precession mechanism for SMF bioeffects requires that a targetpathway structure charge must be bound for times exceeding a millisecondrange, and a magnetic field must have an amplitude component sufficientto induce precession oriented at right angles to an original axis ofvibration of a target pathway structure. A relevant target pathwaystructure has been shown to be Ca²⁺ bound at CaM. A Ca²⁺/CaM system isinvolved in regulatory cascades relevant to growth factor and cytokinerelease from cells responding to growth and repair signals in livingsystems. Tests of an embodiment according to the present invention usingCa/CaM dependent myosin phosphorylation showed that SMF having fieldstrengths as low as 1 G could significantly increase phosphorylation, byup to 2× dependent upon initial Ca²⁺ concentration.

A Larmor precession model demonstrates that precessional motion at aLarmor frequency of charged particles such as ions/ligands and waterthat are bound inside a binding site or molecular cleft, can bemodulated by applied magnetic fields to affect binding kinetics.Precession introduces coherence into thermal fluctuations of boundion/water orientation angles, modulating a rate at which orientationsfavoring binding/dissociation are reached. This coherence modulatesfluctuations of a dielectric constant at a binding site, thusfacilitating passage of an ion/ligand to or from an unbound state andfrom or to a bound state. The model shows a threshold of about a 0.1 μT(0.001 G=1 mG) to about 1 μT (0.01 G=10 mG) range for magnetic fieldeffects on kinetics of ion binding when thermal noise is present forbound times approaching a second range. A Larmor model also shows that amagnetic field effect will saturate at relatively low values of amagnetic field that correspond to precession frequencies within abinding time constant frequency range.

A static magnetic field couples to a binding process by alteringprecession frequencies of bound ions. For fields in a mT range, boundlifetime must be sufficiently long for example greater than 1 msec, toestablish a thermal noise threshold. Rotational degrees of freedomshould also exist, such as those found for ions/water bound in themolecular clefts of macromolecules. A Larmor precession frequency can beexpressed as:

ω_(L) =−ΓB,

where ω_(L) is a Larmor frequency, Γ is a gyromagnetic ratio of thesystem and B is a magnetic field amplitude. Generally, a gyromagneticratio will be a 3×3 matrix yielding dipole moment from moleculardynamics. Thus a Larmor frequency for water molecule precession is acomplicated function of system parameters, specific to a particularstructure of each particular target pathway structure.

Larmor precession effectively converts magnetic field amplitude into afrequency determined by a gyromagnetic ratio, such as a function ofcharge and mass of a bound particle, of a hydrated target pathwaystructure. Each Larmor precession frequency determines time to reachfavored orientations, resulting in a modulation of ion binding kineticsvia a time constant defined in an electrical equivalent circuit analogfor binding. Thus, magnetic fields may couple with binding kinetics viaa Larmor frequency in a manner analogous to that described for electricfield effects on ion binding. A binding process can be illustrated as adynamic system wherein a particle has two energetically stable pointsseparated by a few kT such as a double potential well, either bound in amolecular cleft, or unbound in a plane of closest approach such as aHelmholtz plane, at an electrified interface between a molecular cleftand its aqueous environment. Ion binding/dissociation can then betreated as a process of hopping between two states and EMF effects aremeasured by modulation of a ratio of time bound in a molecular cleft totime unbound in a Helmholtz plane. A reaction coordinate q(t) subject toinertia and a damping force proportional to dq/dt can be defined. Apotential energy function V(q,ω_(L)) can be modified either directly byan induced electric field, or indirectly by a static magnetic field viaits effect on Larmor precession. Thermal noise, F_(noise), is a drivingforce for ion binding and dissociation. Such a system can be describedby a differential equation as:

${\frac{^{2}q}{t^{2}} + {\eta \frac{q}{t}} + \frac{{V\left( {q,\omega_{L}} \right)}}{q}} = F_{noise}$

where η is a coefficient of damping, t is time.

In a static magnetic field Larmor frequency is a rate at which aninstantaneous local dielectric constant reaches extrema favoring bindingkinetics. Higher Larmor frequencies due to stronger magnetic fields,increase this rate. A potential energy function V(q,ω_(L)) is thusdependent on a Larmor frequency such as static magnetic field amplitudevia:

${{V(q)} = {{\alpha_{1}\frac{q^{4}}{4}} - {\alpha_{2}\frac{q^{2}}{2}} + {{qC}\left( F_{noise} \right)}}},$

where the nonnegative coefficients α₁, and α₂, are characteristic of thereceptor molecule-hydration binding kinetics and C is an appropriateconstant determined by experiment. A potential energy functionV(q,ω_(L)) describes a double well potential wherein potential energywells correspond to bound and unbound states, and effect of a magneticfield is to modulate relative depth of wells via Larmor precession.

A Larmor precession model can be applied to Ca²⁺ calmodulin dependentmyosin phosphorylation that is EMF sensitive for Ca²⁺-depletedconditions and during a nonequilibrium phase of a reaction. Kineticsfavor a bound state according to k_(on)/k_(off)≅10²-10³, aninstantaneous exchange reaction rate is dependent upon instantaneousfree [Ca²⁺(t)], and phosphorylation increases for increasing [Ca²⁺(t)].An embodiment according to the present invention of a Larmor precessionmodel shows that [Ca²⁺(t)] is proportional to a ratio of time an ion isfree for example unbound, to the time the ion is bound:

$\left\lbrack {{Ca}^{2 +}(t)} \right\rbrack = {\rho {\frac{t_{free}}{t_{bound}}.}}$

where ρ is a proportionality constant. An applied magnetic field thusmodulates [Ca²⁺(t)], causing an increase in instantaneous reaction rate,such as an increase in net bound Ca²⁺. Increasing field strengthincreases Larmor frequency further favoring a free state in adouble-well potential energy function. An increase in a ratio of timefree/bound for increasing field, and resulting increase in [Ca²⁺(t)] canyield a corresponding increase in enzyme kinetics.

Referring to FIG. 1, at least one composite static magnetic field isconfigured by combining a bipolar magnetic field and an axial magneticfield (Step 101). In a preferred embodiment according to the presentinvention a bipolar magnetic field can be configured by comprisingalternating circular positive and negative poles and an integratedsecond portion comprising an axial magnetic field having a north pole orsouth pole facing the first portion. Once a composite static magneticfield is configured its spatial distribution and amplitude at a targetpathway structure such as a molecule, cell, tissue, and organ, areoptimized by applying a Larmor precession model (Step 102). Larmorprecession converts magnetic field amplitude into a frequency determinedby a gyromagnetic ratio of the target pathway structure. Duringtreatment of a target pathway structure, the optimized composite staticmagnetic field is coupled to the target pathway structure by alteringprecession frequencies (Step 103).

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C a preferred embodiment according tothe present invention of a composite magnet is illustrated. Crosshatchedareas in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C represent north pole orientation but otherorientation configurations can be used. A composite magnet 201 having abipolar portion 202 and an axial portion 203 is shown. The compositemagnet 201 can be assembled using any method known to persons skilled inthe art. In FIG. 2B, the bipolar portion 202 comprises alternatingmagnetic polarities 204 as annuli juxtaposed to a central circularportion 206. South pole orientation is on an opposite facing plane (notshown in FIG. 2C). A preferred embodiment according to the presentinvention of a composite magnet comprises a circular configurationhaving a diameter between about 3 cm to about 25 cm and a thicknessbetween about 0.5 mm and to about 2 mm. However each portion of thecomposite magnet can be configured differently whereby any geometricshape can be formed, including random shapes.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a graphical spatial configuration of a magneticfield emanating from an axial portion 301 of a magnet according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown. FIG. 3B depictsa graphical spatial configuration of a magnetic field emanating from anbipolar portion 302 of a magnet according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. The spatial distribution of a magnetic field in abipolar portion 302 illustrates a manner by which a magnetic fieldpasses from positive to negative orientation thereby creating at leastone magnetic field gradient. The spatial distribution of the magneticfield in an axial portion 301 shows an absence of multiple gradients andis typical for a standard magnet having a single pole per face. Acombination of the spatial orientations shown in FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 ballows static magnetic field components along x, y or z axes to beapplied with sufficient amplitude to an ion/ligand binding targetpathway structure to be detectable, thereby satisfying a Larmorprecession model. A preferred embodiment according to the presentinvention can configure magnets using combinations of spatialdistributions other than those shown in FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 b to satisfya Larmor model. Another embodiment according to the present inventionincludes juxtaposition of an axial magnet with a bipolar magnet havingany pole pattern and shape.

FIG. 4 shows a wrist support 401 according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. The wrist support 401 can be made of anyanatomical or support material such as neoprene. A magnet 402 can beincorporated into wrist support 401 for example by stitching. The magnet402 can also be affixed onto the wrist support 401 by a fastening devicesuch as Velcro® (not shown). The magnet 402 can also be held in place bya wrist support 401 made of an elastic material (not shown). Magneticfield orientation according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, is applied from a dorsal that is top portion, to a plantarthat is bottom portion, of a wrist 403. The magnetic field orientationcan also be achieved with a plurality of magnets placed at anatomicallyrelevant positions for a desired therapeutic and prophylactic outcome.Although a wrist support is depicted as a preferred embodiment accordingto the present invention, other embodiments include but are not limitedto, incorporation of a composite magnet in an anatomical wrap oranatomical support designed for any portion of a human or animalanatomical location. For example, an embodiment according to the presentinvention can be incorporated in mattresses, mattress pads, pillows,apparel, footwear, knee, elbow, lower back, and shoulder wraps andsupports.

Example 1

Effects of a magnetic field configured using an embodiment according tothe present invention versus a standard axial magnet have been tested ona myosin phosphorylation enzyme assay system. A cell-free reactionmixture was chosen for phosphorylation rate to be linear in time forseveral minutes, and to be rate limited by Ca²⁺. The reaction mixtureconsisted of 40 mM Hepes buffer, pH 7.0; 0.5 mM magnesium acetate; 1mg/ml bovine serum albumin; 0.1% (w/v) Tween 80; 1 mM EGTA; 70 nM CaM;160 nM MLC and 2 nM MLCK. Free Ca²⁺ was varied in a about 1 μM to about7 μM range. A low MLC/MLCK ratio was chosen to obtain linear timebehavior in a minute range. The reaction mixture was aliquoted in 100 μLportions into 1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes, placed in a specially designedwater bath maintained at 37±0.1° C. The reaction was initiated with 2.5μM ³²P ATP, and was stopped with Laemmli Sample Buffer solutioncontaining 30 μM EDTA. Phosphorylation was allowed to proceed for 5 minand was evaluated by counting ³²P incorporated into myosin light chains.A magnetic exposure system comprised either an axially magnetized orcomposite axial plus bipolar magnet. Both magnets had a resultant fieldof 20 G at a target pathway structure site, however the composite magnetwas constructed to have significantly more field gradients to satisfyLarmor precession requirements. Results are shown in a bar chart in FIG.5, wherein it can be seen that a composite magnet according to anembodiment of the present invention, had a significantly greater effecton Ca²⁺, as measured by myosin phosphorylation.

Example 2

In another series of experiments a Larmor precession model demonstratedthat static magnetic field effects would saturate when precessionfrequency which is directly proportional to magnetic field strength,approaches an ion binding time constant of a target pathway structure. Amyosin phosphorylation system was used as described above in Example 1.Results are shown in a bar chart in FIG. 6, wherein it can be seen thatan acceleration of Ca²⁺ binding at calmodulin saturates at approximately10 G that corresponds to a precession frequency of about 1 kHz, that isat a Ca²⁺ binding time constant for calmodulin.

Having described embodiments for an apparatus and a method for staticmagnetic field treatment of plants, animals, and human target pathwaystructures such as molecules, cells, tissues, and organs, it is notedthat modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in theart in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understoodthat changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the inventiondisclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1) A static magnetic field treatment apparatus for plants, animals, andhumans comprising: At least one composite static magnetic device forconfiguring at least one composite static magnetic field to be appliedto a target pathway structure for treatment, whereby said compositestatic magnetic device comprises at least one bipolar portion and atleast one axial portion such that said at least one bipolar portionforms at least one layer juxtaposed to said axial portion. 2) The staticmagnetic field treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least onecomposite static magnetic field is configured such that a LarmorPrecession model is satisfied. 3) The static magnetic field treatmentapparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one composite staticmagnetic field is configured to include a peak composite static magneticfield to be between about 0.1 G and about 5000 G. 4) The static magneticfield treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least onecomposite static magnetic field is configured to include a peakcomposite static magnetic field to be between about 0.1 G and about 5000G. 5) The static magnetic field treatment apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one composite static magnetic field is configured toinclude a composite static magnetic field gradient to be between about0.1 G/mm and about 10⁶ G/mm. 6) The static magnetic field treatmentapparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least one composite staticmagnetic field is configured to include a composite static magneticfield gradient to be between about 0.1 G/mm and about 10⁶ G/mm. 7) Thestatic magnetic field treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said atleast one composite static magnetic field is configured to include acomposite static magnetic field gradient to be between about 0.1 G/mmand about 10⁶ G/mm whereby said composite static magnetic field gradientis applied to a treatment volume of at least about 0.1 mm³. 8) Thestatic magnetic field treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein said atleast one composite static magnetic field is configured to include acomposite static magnetic field gradient to be between about 0.1 G/mmand about 10⁶ G/mm whereby said composite static magnetic field gradientis applied to a treatment volume of at least about 0.1 mm³. 9) Thestatic magnetic field treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said atleast one composite static magnetic field is configured to include apeak composite static magnetic field to be between about 0.1 G and about5000 G whereby said peak composite static magnetic field is applied to atreatment volume of at least about 0.1 mm³. 10) The static magneticfield treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least onecomposite static magnetic field is configured to include a peakcomposite static magnetic field to be between about 0.1 G and about 5000G whereby said peak composite static magnetic field is applied to atreatment volume of at least about 0.1 mm³. 11) The static magneticfield treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least onecomposite static magnetic device further comprises at least one ofceramic magnets, ferrite magnets, rare earth magnets, flexible magnets,and electromagnets. 12) The static magnetic field treatment apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a positioning device to position said atleast one composite static magnetic device for treatment of said targetpathway structure. 13) The static magnetic field treatment apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein said positioning device includes at least one ofanatomical supports, anatomical wraps, mattresses, mattress pads,pillows, and apparel. 14) The static magnetic field treatment apparatusof claim 13, wherein said apparel includes garments, fashionaccessories, and footwear. 15) The static magnetic field treatmentapparatus of claim 1, wherein said bipolar portion further comprises aplurality of juxtaposed circular portions of alternating polarity havingat least one of a north and south orientation in a central portion ofsaid plurality of juxtaposed circular portions of said bipolar portion.16) The static magnetic field treatment apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid bipolar portion further comprises at least one of circular,rectangular, and random shape magnetic poles. 17) The static magneticfield treatment apparatus of claim 16, wherein said bipolar portionfurther comprises at least one array of at least one of circular,rectangular, and random shape magnetic poles. 18) The static magneticfield treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said axial portion furthercomprises at least one face having a least one polarity. 19) The staticmagnetic field treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least onecomposite static magnetic device further comprises an array of said atleast one composite static magnetic devices.